About us
Graphic Babbling was founded by Anna-Maija Rist. Having originally planned a career in academia, and working on a PhD in early linguistic and identity development in children, she had a change of heart following the birth of her first child in 2004. Having heard about the wonderful ‘colour workshops for babies’ method developed in her native Finland, she re-trained and started offering art sessions for under-ones in Aberdeen in April 2007. Due to demand, she also developed a class for toddlers, which started in August 2007; these preschooler sessions are now offered on a one-off site visit basis. She is a qualified musician and regularly complements the sessions with songs, sounds and rhymes. Her second baby arrived in May 2008 and is already a seasoned Graphic Babbler!
Anna-Maija knows from her own experience that being a parent can be an exciting, joyful, daunting and exhausting experience – sometimes with ‘four seasons in one day’. It is important for parent and child alike to find gentle activities that help break the domestic routine without overpowering either with excessive stimuli. Graphic Babbling aims to promote happy, relaxed and child-orientated interaction between parents and children through art-based exercises. Above all we maintain that shared happy moments are fundamental to early bonding, and that creative family activities enable both adult and child to learn from and about one another.
Graphic Babbling is open to babies and toddlers of all abilities and backgrounds. We are not exclusively a parent-and-child activity but also welcome grandparents, nannies and any other people involved in the care of the attending children.
Other members of our team
Camilla Hammill: tutoring Very Young Babies from April 2008
Formerly a health editor in London, Camilla moved to Aberdeen with her husband in 2006 while expecting their first baby. Alice, who arrived in February 2007, attended Graphic Babbling workshops from the age of six months, and the whole family became exponents of the method. With experience in print design and a love of all things creative, after a year as a full-time mum to Alice, Camilla jumped at the chance to join the team.
Sarah Stephen-Smith: tutoring Very Young Babies from September 2009 in Stamford, Lincolnshire
Sarah re-discovered her creative spirit when pregnant with her first child and continues to search for ways to make creativity a part of her daily life as a mother. Before embarking on the 'toughest job of all' she ran several innovative arts-based projects and later undertook training in participatory art methods'. A mother of two, she currently lives in Stamford and is passionate about the role of the arts in helping parents bond with their children. She continues to learn and be inspired by her children's creative imagination, wherever it may lead her.
